Ski pole security system

Abstract

A ski pole with automatic retractable mechanism for securing ski equipment and preventing theft. The retractor mechanism has a ratchet mechanism in which a gear is fixed to a rotatable spool on which is wound a security line and a pawl which is positioned to engage the gear and to provide a step-wise rotation of the spool. This serves to unwind the security line from the spool. The security line is rewound onto the spool by a spring which extends downward into the hollow interior of the ski pole shaft.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure as Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A ski pole, comprising: (a) a grip housing having a hollow interior, said housing including a chamber at one end and a handle at the opposite end,   (b) an elongated ski pole shaft having a first end in contact with said chamber,   (c) a security line,   (d) a lock head fixed to one end of said security line,   (e) a retractor mechanism disposed in said housing chamber and extending into said elongated ski pole shaft, said retractor mechanism being fixed to the other end of said security line and comprising: (1) a rotatable spool to store said security line,   (2) a ratchet mechanism in contact with said rotatable spool, said ratchet mechanism providing a step-wise advancement of said security line when it is extended from said grip housing, said ratchet mechanism comprising a toothed gear which is fixed to said rotatable spool, a pawl having a first end which is disposed in said grip housing and a second end which is associated with said gear teeth, and a button which is disposed in said grip housing for engaging and disengaging said pawl from the teeth of said gear, and   (3) biasing means fixed to said ratchet mechanism and extending down into said elongated ski pole shaft, so that when said spool is forcibly rotated in one direction said biasing means will maintain a tension,     (f) a ski pole grip cap which is fixed to said grip housing and which is in contact with said grip housing chamber to protect said retractor mechanism and to seal said chamber from the exterior, and   (g) a lock housing which is fixed to said ski pole handle, said lock housing having a passageway for receiving said lock head in a selective releasing and locking arrangement.   
     
     
       2. A ski pole as recited in claim 1, in which said lock housing utilizes a tumbler pin and a series of rotatable numeral plates for engaging said tumbler pin and for closing said passageway and permanently engaging said lock head. 
     
     
       3. A ski pole as recited in claim 1, in which said biasing means further comprises: (a) a rod with a hole, said rod fixed to said ratchet mechanism, and   (b) a spring fixed to said rod by means of said hole.   
     
     
       4. A ski pole as recited in claim 1, in which the security line is a cable. 
     
     
       5. A ski pole as recited in claim 1, in which said security line is a cord. 
     
     
       6. A ski pole, comprising: (a) a grip housing having a hollow interior, said housing including a chamber at one end and a handle at the opposite end,   (b) an elongated ski pole shaft having a first end in contact with said chamber,   (c) a security line,   (d) a lock head which is fixed to one end of said security line,   (e) a retractor mechanism which is disposed in said housing chamber and which extends into said elongated ski pole shaft, said retractor mechanism being fixed to the other end of said security line, and further comprising: a spool which is rotatably mounted within said grip housing for storing said security line, biasing means for rotating said spool in a first direction for winding said security line onto said spool, a ratchet mechanism which is in contact with said rotatable spool, said ratchet mechanism providing for a step-wise rotation of said spool in a second direction which is opposite said first direction for unwinding said security line from said spool,   (f) a ski pole grip cap which is fixed to said grip housing and in contact with said grip housing chamber to protect said retractor mechanism and to seal said chamber from the exterior, and   (g) a lock housing fixed to said ski pole handle, said housing having a passageway for receiving said lock head in a selective releasing and locking arrangement.